are you a populist or and elitist?
there is a naturalist i like to follow who lives up in duluth, minnesota named larry weber. larry thinks goldenrod should be the state flower of minnesota. the current state flower is the showy lady’s slipper. the showy lady’s slipper is exquisite and very rare, and most minnesotans only get to see them when canoeing or hiking in remote areas of northern minnesota. goldenrod, on the other hand, is ubiquitous and abundant. for the month of august, huge swaths of golden yellow goldenrod flowers will line every street in the state (that hasn’t been mowed). we have over 12 varieties of goldenrod. individually the flowers are not very striking, but in abundance the effect is quite stunning. in addition, these golden yellow mounds will literally hum with a profusion of insect life. so, do you agree with larry? are you a populist or and elitist?
goldenrod flower tips (Solidago)
Populist, for sure. Never could understand why the state flower was the snooty, rarely-seen Lady’s Slipper. That said, not sure I want a state flower that drives a portion of the population to antihistamines. When we first moved to Shoreview my wife and I were mesmerized by the abundance of Vicia villosa (Hairy Vetch). Not an orchid, but fields of it were breathtaking!
A state flower should be one that’s abundant, plentiful, and easily enjoyed by all a state’s citizens. I vote for goldenrod.
Maryland’s state flower is the black-eyed susan. Right now our highways and byways have gold shoulders. And my own garden is full of it, too.
Your wreath is so lovely! I always love your circular works.